The 17-year-old forward entered the fray in the second half of the FA Cup clash at Hull City Ladies on Sunday and struck in extra time to make it 2-1 and seal a place for Newcastle in the second round.

"It was a huge sense of relief," she told nufc.co.uk.

"To secure the win for the team and put us through to the next round is a great feeling."

The match-winner was Ferguson's first goal of the season for the Lady Magpies, and the striker is keen to use it as a springboard to kick on.

"When coming off the bench I always do my best to make sure I can make an impact with however many minutes I get," she explained.

"By doing this I can play a part in finishing the game just as well as we start it.

"Every team needs substitutes, but everyone would prefer to be in the starting 11. I just need to keep pushing and achieving my targets and hopefully, I will earn my chance."

Ferguson's goal, which settled the match after Hull had cancelled out Georgia Gibson's opener in normal time, also held a special weight for her due to her love of the FA Cup.

"Lots of good memories are made during the FA Cup," she said. "It's really important for us to progress as far as we can.

"The FA Cup gives us another competition to focus on other than the league, which is an added benefit."

The teenager isn't the only youngster who has made an impact for Langley's side this term, as Daisy Burt, Keira Skelton and Lois Greenslade have also stepped up when called upon.

"I think it's a credit to ourselves as we are still at the beginning of our journey," Ferguson said of the contribution of the younger players. "Becky has the trust in us to create an impact on the pitch."

"I will keep working hard in training and during the games to become more experienced within the women's game, and as a team, we take each game at a time.

"We are working hard to make sure we remain top of the league going into Christmas."

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC